Technical Overview
Dynavate was developed as a service oriented architecture (SOA) using the industry leading Microsoft™ technologies:
- Microsoft ™ Windows Server 2008
- Microsoft ™ SQL Server 2008
- Microsoft™ Visual Studio, using Visual C#
- .Net framework 3.5
- Microsoft™ SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS)
- Microsoft™ SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS)
Architecture
The Dynavate server application and database runs on MS Windows Server 2008, and MS SQL Server 2008 with SSRS and SSIS.
The vast fast majority of the functionality is held at database level and implemented using stored procedures, which has been exposed through the service layer. Stored procedures are not suitable for all purposes and certain functionality was implemented using CLR (MS SQL Common Language Runtime which is integrated with the .Net framework), particularly for calculation intensive tasks such as instalment calculations. SSIS is used to manage the longer running server side processes such as day ends, month ends and ETL (extract, transform and load) processes.
Dynavate - The Medium to Large Credit Provider Solution
Service Layer
All Dynavate functionality is deployed through a well defined service layer, using WCF (Windows Communication Foundation). The WCF is an application programming interface in the .NET Framework for building connected, service-oriented applications. WCF negates the problematic issues previously associated with web services and the requirement to run and manage MS IIS.
The architecture adheres to Microsoft’s patterns & practices, which is Microsoft's applied engineering guidance standards that includes both production quality source code and documentation and saves time and reduces risk on software development projects.
Client Shell
The Dynavate user interfaces have been deployed in a client side shell. The client shell was developed using Windows forms and is small program that resides on the user’s PC. There is however no logic in the shell itself and all functionality and data is accessed via the WCF service layer. The shell therefore needs a connection to the server to function.
The client side shell serves as a presentation layer only and the client application can be used via LAN, WAN, VPN, virtual VPN, intranet and even directly via an internet connection to the server.
The Dynavate shell allows for easy deployment of the various application modules and negates some of the typical problems experienced with browser based interfaces. The shell automatically checks that all the user modules are the latest version, and if not it will automatically update any outdated module (only the particular module that is outdated). The size of the client application is relatively small and therefore downloads and updates quickly when required.
Custom User Interfaces
By providing a well defined service layer to both the transaction engine and other data structures, any type of user interface can communicate with the services layer which can also be utilised as a custom front ends to the Dynavate solution or parts thereof. This includes client side applications, web interface , mobile phone interfaces and any other technology can communicate with the service layer.